Five early round NFL draft picks that are likely to be slow starters

Charles Harris, DE, Miami DolphinsPicked: Round 1, No. 22 overall
Harris is at the top of the food chain when it comes to his spin moves and ability to create a new direction of attack. For that very reason, I felt like Harris would be best-suited in a defense that allowed the former basketball star to stand and play in space, where he could utilize his athletic ability to confound tackles. As a 4-3 defensive end, his strength at the point of attack, or lack thereof, could become an early concern as he attempts to hold his ground when challenged in the running game. Harris might need to add more strength and overall bulk to his frame before he is ready to handle every-down duties at defensive end.

I disagree that Harris is better suited as an OLB. He's a DE. He just needs to add some bulk. Pass rushers, in general, start slow. That's why you draft them before you need them.

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Agreed - not to mention WRs, RBs, QBs, CBs.....well ****.

In most years I'd say about 75% of the early draft picks start slow. This time of year we're going to see a lot of the same stuff repurposed into new articles lol. Seems like this guy is saying the same thing we've heard repeatedly on the forum and elsewhere, that Harris may not hold up well enough in the run game to get on the field in early down situations. That could develop over the season, or maybe it takes a year. Regardless if he makes a handful of disrupting plays per week, we're getting exactly what we drafted him for, and just have to hope he can build on that.

the guy is not a olb. they want him to be aldon smith or think he is like him. harris is going to be fine. just has to get stout against the run and he will be fine. the guy has only been playing for what 4 or 5 years, he is a freak

It's going to be a tough challenge to fend off two quick pass rushers...one from each side...I see a problem blocking BOTH Wake and Harris consistently...quick passing game from the opponents...maybe some draws or screens....the middle of our dline will feast if the opponent is focusing on these two ends....hope our linebackers have the athleticism and read skills to clean up

I don't see Harris as a slow starter actually. While he doesn't have veteran polish, he has a very solid array of pass rush moves for a rookie, and he is destined to start as a pass rush specialist ... sooooo, I can see him starting off quickly. If I were to pick a Dolphin, it would be Cordrea Tankersley. The guy is going to look impressive in tight in-your-face press man, and needs a lot of work in space, where I'm sure teams will exploit him. Think Tony Lippett vs. AJ Green ... yeah, that rough. But, I doubt that 3rd round draft picks are the types they want for that article.

Then again, it's Lance Zierlein, and he doesn't rate our draft very well. So, it's no surprise he harshes on us. Time will tell who is right, but my money is on the Dolphins draft class. I respect Zierlein, but disagree with his assessment of our class.